Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Sebastian, FL: $23.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Sebastian, FL runs $23.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,888 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Sebastian's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,730 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sebastian, Florida, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $23.02, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate reflects the income potential for part-time and per-diem workers in various dental settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and oral surgery suites. Entry-level dental assistants typically start at around $18.70 per hour, with more experienced professionals reaching the top of the pay scale at $28.03 per hour. According to the latest figures derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these numbers present not only a competitive wage for the region but also highlight the financial viability of this profession in the local job market.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.70 | $149.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.64 | $181.11 |
| Median (P50) | $23.02 | $184.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.00 | $192.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.03 | $224.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sebastian
Based on $23.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.02/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sebastian, FL can expect to earn approximately $47,883 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,625. With a cost-of-living index of 98.31 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sebastian.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sebastian
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $920.83 | $3,990 | $47,883 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $552.50 | $2,394 | $28,730 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.33 | $1,596 | $19,153 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Sebastian) | $23.02 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Sebastian, FL earn a median of $47,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.02/hr = $28,730/year (purchasing power: $29,224).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,883/year (purchasing power: $48,707).
CoL index: 98.308 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sebastian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Sebastian grew 21.7% from $18.34/hr (2019) to $22.32/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sebastian metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Sebastian
For those working part-time, a dental assistant who averages 24 hours per week would take home approximately $29,000 annually, which is considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem dental assistants often bill hourly at rates ranging from $22 to $35, reaching up to $45 for specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics. Employers in Sebastian, from general dental practices to pediatric and periodontal specialty offices, often dictate these rates, leading to variation across job types. While some assistants may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, others may pursue higher rates through staffing agencies or per diem opportunities. Negotiating pay in the Sebastian market can be influenced by various factors, including certification levels and experience, as expanded function dental assistants may command higher wages, especially in consolidated practices like Heartland or Aspen, where standardized pay structures are increasingly common.
More salary data for Sebastian, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Sebastian. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov